An Analysis of Risk Factors for a Fracture or Luxation in Recovery From General Anesthesia in Horses: A Single Centre Study

•Increasing age increases the risk of catastrophic injury in horses recovering from general anesthesia.•The administration of intraoperative ketamine increases the risk of catastrophic injury in horses recovering from general anesthesia.•The administration of intratracheal salbutamol increases the risk of catastrophic injury in horses recovering from general anesthesia.•Information is needed on the effects of intratracheal salbutamol on recovery quality in horses undergoing general anesthesia. Catastrophic fractures or luxations (FoL) sustained during recovery from general anesthesia are a significant cause of mortality during equine anesthesia. There is a lack of evidence regarding potential risk factors for a FoL occurring in the immediate anesthetic recovery period. A single center, retrospective, case-matched study was performed to identify risk factors for sustaining a catastrophic FoL during recovery from general anesthesia. Clinical data were obtained for horses which sustained a catastrophic FoL when recovering from general anesthesia from January 2011 to June 2020 in a single center referral population. Multivariable logistical regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors which were significant in horses where a FoL occurred. Statistically significant risk factors in our population of horses of sustaining a FoL in recovery included intraoperative administration of intratracheal salbutamol, intraoperative administration of ketamine and increasing age. Further research in this area, particularly with regards to salbutamol administration, is required.